Denon Aftermath (Page 25)

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Haden Larkor)~~~

~~~(Location: Jedi High-Council, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 52 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 568 BBY)~~~

All the council members are silent as Master Lymdor walks into the room. It's been two weeks since we returned from Denon, and Jerome is recovering from his injuries. Along with adjusting to a world outside of carbonite.

Before his report of what he endured begins, my eyes slowly shift to Krayla. She's been on my mind a lot since our return from Denon. Taylor, as well.

I've been debating whether to inform them of my suspicions regarding Darth Rendra. All I need is proof for my beliefs that he's Krayla's believed to be deceased son. Coming out with such a statement without backing is a bad idea.

"Welcome, Master Lymdor. I'm glad that you're recovering from your injuries at a timely speed."

Aleya starts the discussion as I take my mind off my next mission. I focus on the Master we've saved and what we're about to learn.

"It's good to be back, although I wish you hadn't traded my life for Jedi knowledge."

Some people crack smiles at Jerome's half-joking tone. But we all know his dedication to the Order makes that statement accurate at the same time. When we brought him back, Padawan Vaeda was the first to meet him.

She was waiting at the hanger bay to greet her rescued Master. They have a strong bond. And it's thanks to that bond both of them are alive now.

If Padawan Vaeda never returned to the Temple, everything would've been different. At the same time, we wouldn't have learned so much about Darth Rendra.

"I'll begin my report of what I learned during my capture and torture under Darth Rendra. Before, I was stuck inside carbonite, that is."

He wants to get straight to business, it seems, and I don't doubt that. The council becomes silent as he retails his fight with our adversary. Master Hendi fell to the Darth Rendra in battle, and Master Lymdor would've shared that fate.

If not for the fact the boy needed Jerome alive.

After some time of explaining, we reach the part where his torture under Darth Rendra began. And it's not pretty.

As the gruesome details finish with him being frozen in carbonite, the report comes to an end. More than two hours have passed, and you can see the experience Jerome went through had a great effect on him.

Even now.

Sweat falls from his brow as she recalls everything he went through. While I know the Jedi have no experience with torture, I had no idea a child could have such cruelty to give.

"This council thanks you for coming today. We have more questions, but it seems that you could use a break from this. So we'll end for today."

Our Grandmaster ends the council meeting with that, but before everyone stands up and starts talking, I decide to ask one more question.

"Is there anything we should know about Darth Rendra right now?"

Heads turn in my direction as I ask the question, but after a second, they turn to look back at the man who was subjected to Darth Rendra's cruelty. He takes on a thoughtful expression and takes a deep breath.

Centering himself in The Force, and letting go of the stress he's feeling. After a second, he looks directly at me.

"There isn't a shred of light in him. The Darkside is all he knows. We'll either have to kill him to stop him or give up chasing him."

He's basically saying that capture isn't an option. A small sigh escapes my lips as the words sink in for everyone in the room. After a few minutes, only Taylor and I are left in the council chamber.

There is a calm and serene silence. I look over to one of my oldest friends and see she's deep in thought. Taylor has been silent about her encounter with Darth Rendra, and it's bothering Krayla.

Not just her, though. I won't say it out loud, but I'm suspicious of Taylor. Whatever was discussed between her and Darth Rendra after her comms were destroyed is unknown to us.

I can't help thinking she either suspects the same as me or knows the truth altogether. The Force flows through me as I contemplate this, and nothing indicates I'm wrong. I won't talk with Taylor or Krayla yet.

But I'm going on a personal trip to Hutt Space.

"Can I ask you something?"

The sudden question from my friend pulls me from my thoughts. Our eyes meet, and I can see there is sadness in her.

"Of course, Taylor. I'm a little insulted you think you can't..."

My voice is soft and inviting. Conveying that I'm willing to listen to anything she needs to talk about. If there is anything I learned from Krayla and Taylor's relationship, it's a good thing to be there for the people you care about.

She smiles back at me for a second and composes herself for the question.

"Taylor won't talk to me... What happened on Denon did a number on her, and I want her to open up to me. At the same time, not forcing it. I remind her I'm here to talk, but it doesn't seem to be enough..."

I have no doubt that Taylor is having a hard time. Whatever happened after her talk with Darth Rendra is still with her, and I don't think it's going away anytime soon. There are other people in the Order who are affected by what transpired on Denon.

Ezark Olidare is believed to have fallen to the Darkside. Where he is and what he's doing is unknown to us. Taylor and Ezark were close friends, and now he's...

Changed.

Master Izok and Knight Darsana are also preparing to search for Ezark. They're leaving the Temple tomorrow, but I think Ezark doesn't plan on being found.

"I think Taylor can handle what's happening. But I also believe if she's not able to talk with you about something, she might think it'll hurt you."

I know I shouldn't be doing this, but leaving a trail of breadcrumbs about my suspicions is the most I can do right now. My calm words seem to make her think, and that's all that needs to happen.

She stands up from her chair after giving her thanks for the advice and making for the exit. Leaving me alone inside the council chambers. I lean back in my seat and look out the window. Seeing the skyscrapers of Coruscant being navigated by vehicles.

Delaying my mission any further isn't in the cards. I stand up from my chair and leave the room, too. Entering the elevator, and descending down into the Temple.

Making my way to the hanger bay.

~~~(POV: Jedi Knight Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Meditation Gardens, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 568 BBY)~~~

A deep breath enters my lungs as I sink into The Force. These past two weeks have been nothing but meditation and recovery since I returned to the Temple. In truth, I needed it. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

After what I learned on Denon, taking this time to think has been what I needed. As much as I want to say I was expecting anything to happen on Denon, I can't say that here. I was completely and utterly unprepared for what happened.

Not only did I learn my twin brother is alive, but the fall of my friend has shown me that there is a lot changing in the galaxy.

To the Jedi.

My brother is the source of the change. His existence incites chaos and conflict. A big part of me is glad that my brother is alive, but another small part is the opposite.

What he's done...

He's killed innocent people...

Committed terrible atrocities in the name of power...

[Why aren't you talking to me...]

I send the message through The Force bond we share. I know he hears me; there is no way he doesn't. After our meeting on Denon, it's only become stronger. I've been trying to break through. To gain a larger foothold in our Force Bond.

Trying to get him to talk to me...

But nothing works.

[You're my brother... Please, just say something...]

I've been pushing the family card through the Force Bond on multiple occasions, but I haven't received a response yet.

My breath leaves my lungs, and I relax more. Sinking deeper into The Force. Sinking myself deeper into the Force Bond. The sight and sound fall from my senses. Leaving me in the dark. Pushing myself more and more into The Force.

[Where are you...]

[I want to talk to you.]

[Talk to me.]

[SAY SOMETHING!]

As my anger spikes through the Force Bond, I pull myself out of the deep trance I'm in. Breaths enter and exit my lungs, and that's when I notice the sunlight is now gone. Several hours have passed since I closed my eyes.

"You okay?"

My head turns to see Mom sitting on the stone edge of one of the gardens next to me. Just watching me. I don't know how long she's been there.

Seeing her only makes me hurt.

I still haven't told her about my brother...

Her son...

The one she believes to be dead.

When I was about to tell her, an interruption got in the way. And I haven't tried again since. I know that it's a terrible thing to do, but I've decided to keep the truth to myself. If Mom knew what's become of my brother, her heart would break all over again for him.

She's been in enough pain about my brother's death. I don't want him being alive being even more painful.

I'm glad he took and destroyed my earpiece before our conversation continued. No one knows the truth aside from us.

"I'm okay, Mom. Just thinking and meditating on what happened. Trying to put it behind me."

I hate lying to her, but I don't want to discuss what's wrong with me. It'll only lead me to tell her about what I learned. As she processes my words, a sad smile appears on her features. And I can't stop the tear in my soul from forming.

"You've never been a good liar, Taylor..."

Her eyes turn away from me as she whispers her response. All I can do is look away in shame.

"I'll leave you alone... When you want to talk to me, you know where to find me..."

I have to hold back the forming tears as she stands up and walks away. Likely holding back her own tears. I've shared everything with Mom for most of my life. For the first time, I'm hiding things from her.

Lying to her...

The pain in my heart spikes, and I grab at my chest. Taking deep breaths as I let the tears fall from my eyes. Not allowing any sounds to escape my lips.

The only indicators of my pain are the teardrops on the stone below me.

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Krayla Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Hanger Bay, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 37 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 568 BBY)~~~

I walk through the doors to the Temples hanger bay. It only takes me a moment to see Haden talking with a fellow Jedi. I make my way over to them as their conversation is ending. The second Jedi walks off, and that's when Haden notices me.

He raises an eyebrow in curiosity as to why I'm here, but he doesn't look disappointed or upset. Only wondering why I'm here when this isn't a place I spend time at. Especially this late at night.

"Not that I'm unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

The genuine tone in his voice helps ease some of the pain I'm going through. What just happened with Taylor is still very fresh, and I inquired where Haden was.

Since my daughter doesn't want to talk with me right now, I think distracting myself with other things is a better idea.

"I asked around where you were, and it's brought me here. From the looks of it, you must be going on a mission. Where to?"

He cracks a half smile and folds his arms.

"Why, you interested in coming along?"

I didn't even know he was going anywhere, but since the offer has been extended, it might actually be a good idea to get away from the Temple.

Taylor probably won't talk about what's going on with me for a long time at this rate, so I see no reason not to help one of my friends. It actually makes me feel better, if I'm honest.

"Is that an offer?"

He releases a couple of chuckles as he takes a datapad off a table next to him. Handing it to me. As I read through the details, I can't help getting more and more confused.

I lift my eyes from the datapad and give him a quizzical look.

"You're really making a quality of life check for slaves in Hutt Space? You've never shown any interest in the Rim before?"

Aside from the increasing pirate crisis that has the Senate up in arms, nothing in the Rim has ever garnered Haden's attention. I know Aleya is working with some of the Senators regarding the pirate problem.

Is this connected to it?

"Hey, it's not like I don't care about slaves. And yes, it's really just a cover the council has given me as an excuse for me to do some recon on the state of the Rim and Hutt Space itself."

I turn my eyes back down to the datapad and continue reading the details of the mission.

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Haden Larkor)~~~

~~~(Location: Hanger Bay, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 52 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 568 BBY)~~~

Krayla continues reading the details on the datapad, and I take a quick breath. I've never been a natural at lying, but I'm not letting my real mission slip through. In actuality, I'm truly on a mission for the council.

I'm to gather information and spy on pirates in the Rim and Hutt Space, but the council doesn't know I'm gonna use this chance to find out who Darth Rendra really is.

I'm hoping that Taylor doesn't come. If I outright said no to her coming, that'd make her and the council suspicious of what I'm up to. If I let her decide the mission isn't for her, then I have no issues.

However, I've failed to remember one thing.

"Alright, sounds like something worthwhile. I want to see what the Rim is looking like, as well."

Krayla and her daughter are bleeding hearts for slaves or people who suffer at the hands of slavers. It's something I often forget since they're not open about it.

I can't help feeling I've shot myself in the foot here.

"Alright, I'm about to leave. Get on the ship, and we'll head out."

In the end, keeping what I'm really doing from Krayla won't be hard. It just means I'll have to be a little more careful.